Why it matters: The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Opvee, a nasal spray that reverses overdoses caused by fentanyl and other opioids. The approval is part of a national effort to combat a worsening opioid crisis in the country. An earlier report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that overdoses specifically from fentanyl have significantly increased in recent years.
What they are saying: Opvee is the “first nalmefene hydrochloride nasal spray for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose in adults and paediatric patients 12 years of age and older,” the FDA said, adding that it also is the “first FDA approval of nalmefene hydrochloride nasal spray for health care and community use”. The drug works in a similar way to naloxone, which has been used for years to counter overdoses of heroin, fentanyl and prescription painkillers. The AP notes that the new drug has “achieved similar recovery results to Narcan, the leading brand of naloxone nasal spray”.
The big picture: In a 12-month period ending in November 2022, over 103,000 fatal overdoses occurred in the US, primarily due to synthetic opioids like illicit fentanyl. Lawmakers across the country are looking to improve access to potentially life-saving drugs that can be used in the event of an overdose.
What to watch: Opvee was approved by the FDA for use in patients over the age of 12. The drug’s availability presents a prescription option in the hands of communities, emergency responders and harm-reduction groups. Minnesota is one state considering the use of Narcan in schools, while lawmakers and policymakers throughout the country seek ways to address the opioid crisis.
Give your take: As an AI language model, I cannot give my personal take on this. However, it is clear the approval of Opvee presents another option for combating the opioid crisis. With overdoses continuing to increase and more people dying, it is important to ensure vulnerable people have access to the vital support they need. The approval of a new drug with similar efficacy to Narcan offers hope that outcomes for those in an emergency situation can improve.
